Design meets strategy
Comprehensive developments through digitalisation, evolving marketplaces and changing consumer behaviour have created a new professional playing field between creative design, business strategy and IT processes. Innovation-oriented companies are increasingly seeking managers who understand how to utilise design as a driving factor for business decisions and to incorporate creative thinking and an artistic mindset into the business world – as strategic assets in generating innovation and sustainable consumer benefits, as well as in transforming a company's organisation and vision
Our students and their lecturer near the Innovation Hub.
Curriculum | Innovation Design Management
Understand innovation strategies and put them into practice through portfolio management.
The MA Innovation Design Management curriculum offers students the opportunity to tailor the programme to match their career ambitions and skills. By creating two pathways – ‘Innovation by Design’ and ‘Innovation & Entrepreneurship’, as well as the option between two, three or four semesters, students who choose to study innovation management can take control of their careers to succeed in the industry.
The MA Innovation Design Management curriculum offers students the opportunity to tailor the programme to match their career ambitions and skills. By creating two pathways – ‘Innovation by Design’ and ‘Innovation & Entrepreneurship’, as well as the option between two, three or four semesters, students who choose to study innovation management can take control of their careers to succeed in the industry.
Key facts MA Innovation Design Management
Check out our Location
Take a look at our Innovation Hub (Berlin-Potsdam) & Dubai Campus.
Join us and experience the best of both worlds: The hustle and bustle of the capital Berlin and the relaxation of Potsdam.
Check out our Virtual Campus Tour.
Admission Requirements
Here are some things you will require for your application at the UE:
- Completed admission form
- Transcript & language proficiency
- CV & Copy of passport
- Motivational letter
Semesters & Credits
- 2, 3 or 4 semesters
- 60, 90 or 120 ECTS (Credits)
- Choose between the Standard Track (120 ECTS) and the Fast Track (60 or 90 ECTS) study options based on your previous education. Dubai credit options – 90 & 120 ECTS
- Teaching language: English
- Classes are typically scheduled between Wednesdays & Saturdays
Examination and Study Regulation
The programme starts in both the winter and summer terms.
Get to know Professor Johannes Kiessler, Head of the Innovation Design Management programme at the University of Europe for Applied Sciences.
Fees
- EU applicants standard: from € 854 monthly
- Non-EU applicants standard: from € 12,000 yearly
- Dubai applicants:
AED 73,500 (1.5 Years)
AED 91,875 (2 Years)
Got questions about financing? Check out our fees!
Innovation Design Management at a glance
Our master’s programme, Innovation Design Management, sits at the crossroads of design and business, shaping individuals to thrive in complex, fast-paced environments. With an integrated approach merging design, business, and technology strategies, students engage in intense project activities alongside industry leaders and enterprises tackling these challenges daily.
As highlighted by Forrester Research (2021), innovation-driven organisations prioritise creating a culture of innovation and change, driving the demand for interdisciplinary talents proficient in innovation and creative problem-solving. The MA addressing this demand head-on, stands as one of today’s most cutting-edge management programmes. According to the 2020 Job Outlook Survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers value attributes aligning with our programme’s focus.
What is the MA in Innovation Design Management?
- The first management programme in an Art & Design faculty – worldwide!
- Providing students with tools for helping organizations become more adaptable, innovative and creative.
- Accepting students from different academic backgrounds
What is the MA Innovation Design Management NOT?
- Teaching students how to become a designer.
- Teaching students how to master design software.
- Requiring applicants to have specific design knowledge
- The first management programme in an Art & Design faculty – worldwide!
- Providing students with tools for helping organizations become more adaptable, innovative and creative.
- Accepting students from different academic backgrounds
What is the MA Innovation Design Management NOT?
- Teaching students how to become a designer.
- Teaching students how to master design software.
- Requiring applicants to have specific design knowledge
The programme prepares young professionals for the future:
- Problem-solving skills
- Ability to work in a team
- Creativity
- Communication skills
- Strategic planning skills
- Leadership
- Entrepreneurial skills
- Analytical/quantitative skills
Typical areas of work include leading positions could be Design Development & Management, Design Research & Strategy, Corporate Culture & Strategic Brand Management, New Business Development and Product & Innovation Management.
More and more companies are understanding the substantial value that design can bring to them:
More and more companies are understanding the substantial value that design can bring to them:
- Design creates meaningful products and better development processes
- Disruptive or radical innovations require new development processes
- Design gives a conceptual dimension to idea-finding and concept-development
- Design is a human-centered activity
Therefore, the market needs experts who have a strong standing in design and in business and who can successfully organise design both as a strategy and as a process. This persona is at the core of the master’s programme Innovation Design Management.
Students in the programme can choose their focus between Innovation by Design and Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Specialisation).
The distinction is made through two modules in the first semester:
- Innovation by Design: Strategic Branding and Atlas of Design
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Innovation Management and Atlas of Opportunity
With the mandatory electives of the specialisation ‘Innovation & Entrepreneurship’, students can choose a focus that emphasises entrepreneurial content over design and brand-related topics in connection with innovation.
The distinction is made through two modules in the first semester:
- Innovation by Design: Strategic Branding and Atlas of Design
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Innovation Management and Atlas of Opportunity
With the mandatory electives of the specialisation ‘Innovation & Entrepreneurship’, students can choose a focus that emphasises entrepreneurial content over design and brand-related topics in connection with innovation.
Apply now for your Innovation Design Management studies! The application deadlines end shortly before the start of each semester, so you can also start at UE at short notice. However, you can apply up to one year in advance - simply fill out our application form online.
Applicants with a background in Art & Design
are requested to submit a portfolio with up to 8 samples of their best and most recent work. In addition to the usual application documents such as proof of study, professional certificates and proof of English proficiency, applicants must also submit a paper* with answers to four IDM-specific questions.
Applicants without a background in Art & Design
are not requested to submit a portfolio with work samples. In addition to the usual application documents such as proof of study, professional certificates and proof of English proficiency, applicants must submit a paper* with answers to four IDM-specific questions
Important: In the application phase, you must have already decided in which of our degree programmes you would like to study. However, please note that you may change programmes at a later time if desired.
are requested to submit a portfolio with up to 8 samples of their best and most recent work. In addition to the usual application documents such as proof of study, professional certificates and proof of English proficiency, applicants must also submit a paper* with answers to four IDM-specific questions.
Applicants without a background in Art & Design
are not requested to submit a portfolio with work samples. In addition to the usual application documents such as proof of study, professional certificates and proof of English proficiency, applicants must submit a paper* with answers to four IDM-specific questions
Important: In the application phase, you must have already decided in which of our degree programmes you would like to study. However, please note that you may change programmes at a later time if desired.
240 ECTS for the fast track
The 2-semester programme is suitable for all applicants with a 4-year bachelor's.
210 ECTS for the 3-semester programme
The 3-semester programme is suitable for all applicants with a 3.5-year bachelor's.
180 ECTS for the 4-semester programme
The 4-semester programme is suitable for all applicants with regular 3-year bachelor's.
The 2-semester programme is suitable for all applicants with a 4-year bachelor's.
210 ECTS for the 3-semester programme
The 3-semester programme is suitable for all applicants with a 3.5-year bachelor's.
180 ECTS for the 4-semester programme
The 4-semester programme is suitable for all applicants with regular 3-year bachelor's.
More flexible, more interdisciplinary and more practice-oriented. Students of selected MA programmes at UE have the choice of a master’s degree in 60, 90 or 120 ECTS which gives them full flexibility. Students can apply for one of the three options depending on the education they've already achieved and how many ECTS they've already accumulated in their previous bachelor's (or master's) courses. Practical experience will also be taken into consideration.
Study in the Innovation Hub in Potsdam near Berlin or in a sunny Dubai
The Innovation Design Management MA is available at the Innovation Hub in Potsdam and in Dubai. Potsdam, close to Berlin, offers access to a creative network of start-ups and industry professionals, combined with a relaxed atmosphere that supports focused study. Dubai offers a diverse, multicultural backdrop for developing leadership skills in a collaborative, innovative environment. Both campuses offer state-of-the-art facilities and hands-on learning, allowing you to gain practical experience.
Industry Collaborations: Building Bridges to Success
Inspiring Creativity: Student Projects Showcase
Learn from our Experts
Here you will find further valuable information about our professors and their career.
Prof. Johannes Kiessler
Johannes Kiessler is a professor for M.A. Innovation Design Management at the University of Europe for Applied Sciences. Visit us to know more!
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FAQs
Innovation design management combines business management with design and innovation techniques to develop creative solutions and strategies for companies and businesses. An innovation management master’s degree focuses on the design process to drive innovation and improve overall performance.
Design innovation management is a good career path to pursue due to the in-demand nature of the job roles within the field thanks to the increased dependency on technological advancements. This is reflected in lucrative salaries, diverse job roles and the opportunity to make a difference in various organisations.
The master’s in management and innovation is delivered as a two, three or four-semester course, giving students flexibility to choose the best option to fit around their personal and professional commitments.
The MA Innovation Design Management course is offered at the University of Europe for Applied Sciences’ Innovation Hub in Potsdam, near Berlin.
After developing skills in problem-solving, communication, strategic planning, analytics and much more during the innovation management master’s degree, you will be able to access roles such as Design Development & Management, Design Research & Strategy, Corporate Culture & Strategic Brand Management, New Business Development and Product & Innovation Management.